BILL REQ. #:  S-0532.3 

Read first time 01/23/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to mathematics education; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the quality of Washington state's K-12 essential academic learning standards in mathematics matters enormously. The legislature further finds that Washington's statewide mathematic standards are important, not only because they provide goalposts for teaching and learning across all of Washington's public schools but also they determine the content and emphasis of tests used to measure student achievement, influence the selection of textbooks and other curriculum materials, and form the core of teacher education programs.
     The current Washington essential academic learning standards in mathematics are the result of a collaboration of many Washington educators, parents, business leaders, and citizens from communities in every corner of the state. However, the standards were developed more than a decade ago. The recent results of two international studies, the program for student international assessment (PISA) and the trends in international mathematics and science study (TIMSS) make it evident that a vast number of United States' students, including Washington state students, are unable to perform even simple arithmetic calculations. This has disastrous implications for any effort to train American students in the higher-level mathematics skills needed to succeed in today's jobs. Forty-nine percent of 2003 Washington high school graduates who enrolled in two-year colleges needed a remedial mathematics class.
     The legislature further finds that current essential academic learning requirements in mathematics should be reviewed by experts with a thorough understanding of mathematics, including university professors from mathematics and science departments and individuals from the employer community.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2007, the state board of education shall establish an independent mathematics review committee. Mathematics competency must be a prerequisite for inclusion on the committee.
     (2) The committee shall be comprised of:
     (a) Two persons who are exemplary mathematicians or scientists in academia;
     (b) Four persons who are mathematicians or scientists from industry;
     (c) Two parents; and
     (d) Four persons who are mathematics or science educators.
     (3) By July 1, 2009, the committee shall review the current essential academic learning requirements in mathematics and make recommendations regarding changes of these mathematics standards to the legislature, the governor, the state board of education, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The review shall include, but is not limited to the following:
     (a) Reviewing the standards for clarity, rigor, content, reason, and any negative qualities;
     (b) Articulating grade level expectations over the grades as a sequence of expectations and performances that build with increasing depth after foundational knowledge and skills are acquired, and reflect, where appropriate, the sequential nature of the discipline;
     (c) Using the international benchmarking system of the trends in international mathematics and science study (TIMSS) and/or the program for international student assessment (PISA); and
     (d) Reviewing other states and nations that have proven and high-quality mathematics standards, including California and Singapore.
     (4) By July 1, 2008, the committee shall review mathematics curriculum and materials, including textbooks, and create a menu of curricula to guide districts in textbook adoptions to ensure textbook and curricula alignment with the essential academic learning requirements in mathematics.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.